Year to date 2026 Highlights
•Net sales of $362.7 million increased 5.7%, or $19.7 million, compared to the first six months of 2025
•Net income of $37.3 million, or $1.41 per share, compared to net income of $27.9 million, or $1.06 per share, for the first six months of 2025
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Adjusted EBITDA1 was $73.7 million and 20.3% of sales, an increase of $8.7 million, or 13.5%, over the first six months of 2025
•Total debt decreased $33.0 million through the first six months of 2026
Net sales for the first six months of 2026 were $362.7 million compared to net sales of $343.0 million for the first six months of 2025, an increase of 5.7%, or $19.7 million. Sales increased in the majority of our markets including a sales increase of $11.2 million in the construction market due to increased demand in mining and sales of rental equipment, $8.6 million in the agriculture market due to broad-based improvement across Fill-Rite's sales channels, $5.2 million in the industrial market due to increased domestic investment, $2.6 million in the OEM market and $1.9 million in the municipal market. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $7.6 million in the fire suppression market primarily due to reduced international shipments. Sales also decreased $1.4 million in the repair market and $0.8 million in the petroleum market.
Gross profit was $118.0 million for the first six months of 2026, resulting in gross margin of 32.5%, compared to gross profit of $106.4 million and gross margin of 31.0% for the same period in 2025. The 150 basis point increase in gross margin included a 110 basis point improvement in margin on material driven by a 90 basis point improvement due to price increase realization and favorable product mix and a 20 basis point decrease in LIFO expense, as well as a 40 basis point improvement in leverage on labor and overhead expense resulting from increased sales.
SG&A expenses were $53.9 million and 14.9% of net sales for the first six months of 2026 compared to $51.1 million and 14.9% of net sales for the same period in 2025. SG&A expenses increased due to higher advertising expenses related to trade show activity, as well as increased freight out costs driven by increased sales.
Operating income was $57.9 million for the first six months of 2026, resulting in an operating margin of 16.0%, compared to operating income of $49.0 million and an operating margin of 14.3% for the same period in 2025. Operating margin in the first six months of 2026 increased 170 basis points compared to the same period in 2025 primarily driven by price increase realization, favorable product mix, and a reduction in LIFO costs, as well as improved leverage on labor and overhead expense resulting from increased sales.
Interest expense was $9.6 million for the first six months of 2026 compared to $12.2 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in outstanding debt.
Net income was $37.3 million, or $1.41 per share, for the first six months of 2026 compared to net income of $27.9 million, or $1.06 per share, for the first six months of 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA1 was $73.7 million and 20.3% of net sales for the first six months of 2026 compared to $65.0 million and 18.9% of net sales for the first six months of 2025.
Incoming orders for the first six months of 2026 were $370.8 million, an increase of 1.4%, or $5.1 million, compared to the same period in 2025. The Company’s backlog of orders was $239.7 million at June 30, 2026 compared to $224.4 million at June 30, 2025 and $244.0 million at December 31, 2025.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of 2026 was $62.5 million compared to $48.9 million for the same period in 2025. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period last year was primarily due to increased net income. Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2026 were $7.9 million and consisted primarily of machinery and equipment. Capital expenditures for the full-year 2026 are presently planned to be approximately $22.0 - $24.0 million. Total debt decreased $33.0 million during the first six months of 2026.
Scott A. King, President and CEO, commented, “Our strong start to the year continued into the second quarter. We are pleased with our record second quarter results, which included record net sales and earnings per share. Sales growth was broad-based across many of our markets, led by increased demand in construction and agriculture, as well as increased demand related to data centers across multiple end markets. Our margins remained strong in the second quarter and our earnings performance through the first half of 2026 helped generate solid operating cash flows. The